We are planing a trip to New york and will need several rooms. Seeing the vast number commuter rail lines that feed into New York it might be cheaper to stay in a suburb. My question from people that live in New York or know the area is: 1. What are the Suburban tourist cities if any? 2. How do feel about The MTA and New Jersey Communter Trains.

Brian,

There is a hotel in Weehawken N.J.which is at the mouth of the Lincoln tunnel. I think it is either a Marriott or a Ramada. You can also take a ferry right from Lincoln Harbor, which is what they call this development in Weehawken, but it is expensive. About $9.00 per person each way. If you stay in Weehawken, you can hop onto a bus or commuter van. Another place that has some chain hotels is Secaucus N.J. but I don't know the name of any of them.

Hi Brian,
It's me again. Did you think about saying at a hotel in Brooklyn? The nice neighborhoods are Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope & Carroll Gardens. They might have some hotels. You would only be a few subway stops from downtown Manhattan. Anyway, that is where you will find the REAL New Yorkers. Great affordable restaurants, and shops.

I take Metro north every day to manhattan from Westchester cty, they are clean and reliable. The hotels may be cheaper but you will likely need a car to get to the station (good luck parking) and figure at least 10- $15 roundtrip to grand central each day plus min 35 min each way. I suggest you stay in NYC. You will get a much better feel for the city vs. feeling like a commuter. Stay in manhattan if you can, midtown, downtown...anywhere south of 100th st. Expect to pay $250 per night. There is a new Marriott in downtown Brooklyn, a short subway to manhattan

Hotels would probably be less expensive in the suburbs but after factoring in transportation costs to and from the city you msy not realize any savings. Further, there is the inconveniece. Once in the city going back to the hotel, during the day, might not be feasible. You could find places to stay where the rates are between $150 and $200 a night.

There's also the intangible factor of the city's excitement, part of which you would miss by not staying in the city.

Stay in Manhattan. Once you figure in all the associated costs of staying in the burbs (taxis, buses, rental cars, gas, tolls . . . ), it's likely to be more expensive than staying in the heart of the City. Moreover, as others have already mentioned New York is really at its best at night. If you stay in Jersey or Westchester, you'll miss that.

If cost is an issue. You will be able to find safe, clean rooms in the better sections of the City for well-under $150 per night on weekends or under $100 mid-week. If cost is really an issue, private rooms an any of a number of reliable hostels run between $40 and $50 per night.

I've tried both and would opt for staying outside the city only if I were traveling on business and had no interest in doing anything int he city after the workday. prices for a decnet hotel in the suburbs are cheaper but not by enough to justify the extra hassles. You may find a suites hotel that has two beds inthe BR and a sleepsofa in the LR to be a good cost-effective solution.